The Compass

The George Washington University’s

Undergraduate International Affairs Blog

Julian Sherrod Julian Sherrod

China is Still Not an Enemy

"China is not an enemy". That was the title of an open letter published in the Washington Post in 2019. This article seeks to reinforce this idea in the new Trump administration, especially with its fearmongering and hawkishness towards China. It also provides more insight into the environment surrounding the discourse on China and how other actors, specifically think tanks, are amplifying this hawkishness and fearmongering that is unnecessary, unwarranted, and even dangerous.

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Mahira Ahmed Mahira Ahmed

Reducing Child Marriage in India

Child marriage is one of the world’s most pressing issues for young children today. According to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), an estimated 640 million girls worldwide were married in childhood. India is home to the largest percentage of child brides in the world. India’s percentage of child brides implies a lack of resources for young girls to develop economically or socially in their country. Implementing stronger emphasis on education for young women can potentially shift cultural norms in communities.

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Prarthana Shyam Prasad Prarthana Shyam Prasad

India’s Northern Powerhouse: Uttar Pradesh’s Green Energy Transformation.

India, long recognized for its demographic and developmental complexities, has made significant strides toward a more sustainable future despite post-colonial challenges and rapid industrialization. This article highlights the particular case of Uttar Pradesh, a northern state of India. Historically, this state has been known for its low levels of development, particularly in comparison to some states in the South. However, over the past few years, UP has made commendable progress in sustainability through its organizational and employment policies, as well as social perspectives.

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Ayush Patel Ayush Patel

The Erosion of US Soft Power: The Strategic Implications of US Global Disengagement

Since World War 2, US leadership has shaped global cooperation through soft power, trade, and military alliances. Recent policy shifts, such as tariffs, reduced international engagement, and the closure of essential diplomatic institutions, have weakened that influence. Allies are reevaluating their reliance on US defense and economic relations, turning to regional alternatives. These developments reflect a possible transition to a multipolar world order and a diminishment of the US in global standing if these actions continue.

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Gabriel González Mariscal Gabriel González Mariscal

Mexico’s Power Grid Is a Soft Target in a New Era of Cartel Terrorism

This brief examines how energy infrastructure has historically been targeted as a tool of asymmetric warfare and why Mexico’s fragile electrical system is now dangerously exposed to similar threats. With cartel violence escalating and the potential for a renewed war on drugs, the brief explores the structural vulnerabilities of Mexico’s energy infastructure, which remains underfunded and ill-equipped to withstand deliberate attacks. Given that Mexico imports roughly 60% of its natural gas from the United States, any disruption to its grid poses serious risks not only to domestic stability, but to the U.S. energy market and cross-border cooperation. Recognizing this interdependence, the brief outlines actionable solutions from physical fortification strategies modeled on Ukraine’s wartime grid defense, to financing mechanisms through the North American Development Bank (NADBank).

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Alan Sukharev Alan Sukharev

Techno-Authoritarianism and the Iranian Cyberspace

The issue brief examines the intensified digital repression during the recent "12-day war" between Israel and Iran, exploring how the Islamic Republic of Iran exploits cyber threats to justify internet blackouts and digital censorship. The article explores the development of the "Halal Internet," authoritarian partnerships, and online disinformation campaigns to dispel dissent. The article also underscores how international involvement and funding is needed to help promote digital freedom in Iran.

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Stephanie Van Ausdeln Stephanie Van Ausdeln

A New Age for Africa: AfCTA and RTAs as a Stepping Stone for Liberalization

Africa has long been central to the development of world and intercontinental trade as we know it; yet for centuries, it has been a major player in global economic development without being officially included in world economic forums and trade agreements. Since its decolonization in the late 20th century, African countries have worked restlessly to develop themselves, but face the continued obstacle of not being allowed to make decisions about their own economic fates. However, as the world has moved into the 21st century, African leaders have refused to be left behind economically, having signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement to conduct international and intercontinental trade on their own terms. 

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Ayush Patel Ayush Patel

The Impact on Migration Policy at the Forefront of European Politics

This article looks at how immigration policy has emerged as a major issue in European politics, contributing to government instability, the rise of right-wing populism, and shifts in mainstream party platforms. Focusing on the UK, Denmark, and the EU, it highlights the tension between economic needs, public sentiment, and human rights, and argues that coherent, cooperative reform is essential to address growing political divides.

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Anahita Kashani Gregg Anahita Kashani Gregg

Sheinbaum’s Challenge: Security, Sovereignty, and Trump’s Shadow

President Claudia Sheinbaum faces growing challenges balancing domestic security priorities with US relations under the renewed Trump administration. Inheriting AMLO's failed "hugs, not bullets" anti-cartel strategies, Sheinbaum has pursued Mexican intelligence centralization and cautious, limited cooperation with Washington. However, tensions have escalated over migration enforcement and economic policies, including new tariffs on Mexican goods and taxes on remittances. Despite reporting reduced fentanyl trafficking, Sheinbaum must continue to navigate these complex diplomatic pressures while maintaining Mexico's socioeconomic interests and as the US-Mexico relationship faces a new era.

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Julian Sherrod Julian Sherrod

The Kōchikai: How a Japanese Liberal Democratic Party Faction Went from Cooperation to Competition

This article focuses on the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faction called the Kōchikai (Big Pond Society) and how it has changed from more cooperative and collaborative stances to more dividing and antagonistic stances. It then shows how, while the majority of LDP factions are dissolved, these groupings can still be valuable to determine the possible policy stances a politician may take in the future.

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Mahira Ahmed Mahira Ahmed

Gender-Based Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda has exacerbated gender based violence cases in the DRC. The most recent ceasefire from July to August 2024 initiated peace agreements between Rwanda, DRC, and M23, a Rwanda-backed group in the Congo. However, M23 has captured the city of Goma and is pushing deeper into the DRC despite international calls for ceasefire. With more than 800,000 people already living in displacement camps in Goma, conditions worsen for women in the Congo. Permanent ceasefire must be implemented in order to provide security for women in the region.

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Julian Sherrod Julian Sherrod

Shigeru Ishiba, Kazuo Ueda, Yoji Muto, and the Japanese Economy & Trade

The Japanese economy and its trade are very complicated subjects with numerous aspects to it, but one way to look at them is through the lens of key figures. By analyzing the Japanese Prime Minister, Governor of the Bank of Japan, and the Minister of the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, it shows how they focus on different areas of the economy and how they can influence Japanese economic and trade policies. Through their individual qualities, it is possible to see how these figures compliment and contrast each other in their attempts to rejuvenate the Japanese economy.

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Mahira Ahmed Mahira Ahmed

From Resistance to Revolution: Bangladesh’s Legacy Since 1971

Bangladesh’s history since independence in 1971 has changed the global sphere. United by one language, Bangla, Bangladesh serves as a story of a people’s self-determination, but also persistence of the long-term fight for democracy. Despite Sheikh Mujibur Rahman being revered as the “Father of Nation,” his enactment of a quota system became the trigger to a long standing struggle of human rights violations facilitated by his daughter, the longest serving Prime Minister in Bangladesh. From July to August 2024, the protests led by university students led a mass movement to dethrone an authoritarian government in favor of democracy and human rights.

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Sankar Harikrishnan Sankar Harikrishnan

A Crisis of Legitimacy: Why Efforts to Reduce Chinese Industrial Subsidies are Doomed to Fail

Chinese government subsidies to the country’s industry have been among the most aggravating and contentious points in the US-China relationship over the past 15 years. To deal with the issue of China's unfair trade practices, the US has tried several approaches, including tariffing Chinese goods and creating legal hurdles to investment. By examining recent developments in the US-China trade relationship and China's internal political and economic pressures, this article attempts to explain why such US efforts are unlikely to see much success.

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Tanish Bijur Tanish Bijur

The Emperor Has No Clothes On: Trump 2.0

The Op-Ed compares Trump 2.0 to the Danish fairytale 'The Emperor's New Clothes' by examining the impact of President Trump's conduct concerning the war in Gaza and his meetings with heads of state so far.

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Caden Hubbs Caden Hubbs

Debunking the Trade Deficit Myth

The growing trade deficit is often cited as a leading example of America’s industrial decline, but this view is problematic. However, the continued framing of industrial health as a trade issues has had various negative consequences. This article seeks to address said consequences and highlight alternative proposals for bolstering American manufacturing.

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Julian Sherrod Julian Sherrod

Ishiba Diplomacy and What it Means for the US Latticework in the Indo-Pacific

While Ishiba's diplomatic outlook has been different than the views of his predecessors, this could be used to the advantage of the US. Ishiba has been more pro-Chinese than his predecessors and seems willing to work together with China on common issues. With US leadership in question throughout the world, and a possible Japan-US fallout looming over tariffs, now is the time to see what impact Ishiba's diplomatic strategy would have on the US' latticework strategy to unite the Indo-Pacific through a multitude of agreements between nations and whether it is possible to incorporate Ishiba's diplomacy into the US' strategy.

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Sid Kuchimanchi Sid Kuchimanchi

Marching Towards the Future: The Potential Implications of a European Union Army

With recent developments painting an increasingly stark picture for the security of Europe, there have been increased pushes for the European Union to defend itself independent of the United States. This article briefly explores critical legal and geopolitical challenges with such a policy to understand the potential ramifications of a European Union army.

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Ayush Patel Ayush Patel

History of United States’ Relation to Greenland

This article looks at the history of US interest in Greenland, focusing on the changing motives behind its strategic importance over time. Recent comments from the Trump Administration have brought a spotlight to the historic trends of involvement with Greenland, shifting as a result of geopolitical, economic, and military priorities. From resource-driven interest to strategic involvement, this paper looks at the fluctuation of interest through administrations and foreign policy doctrines. Greenland has remained an important point of interest in the region.

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